Medicines and elderly people: a general practice survey

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Polypharmacy is common in elderly populations, increasing the risk of adverse drug events.
• Understanding medication management practices among older adults is essential for optimizing healthcare outcomes.
• Home-based surveys provide valuable insights into the real-world challenges faced by elderly patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the health status and medication management practices of elderly patients (75 years and over).
• To identify challenges and areas for improvement in how older adults handle their prescribed drugs.
• To evaluate the quantity and types of medications used by this demographic compared to the general population.

Main Methods:

• A home-visit survey was conducted among all 151 patients aged 75 and over registered in a single general practice.
• Data collected included health status, medication regimens, drug storage, disposal practices, and patient-reported information sources.
• Medication use was compared to that of the general population.

Main Results:

• 87% of patients were on regular treatment, with 34% taking three or four different drugs daily.
• Most patients managed their own medications but stored them improperly and were unsure about disposal.
• Elderly patients were prescribed approximately three times more drugs than the general population; women took twice as many as men.

Conclusions:

• Elderly patients, particularly women, exhibit high rates of polypharmacy and require support for safe medication management.
• Enhanced drug labeling with clear indications, dispensing, and expiry dates is needed.
• A daily medication organizer could assist patients taking multiple drugs, and pharmacist advice should be more actively sought.